Glowing Performances at Youth Leadership Programme

Glowing Performances from the 1st two batches of Senior Prefects of Visakha Vidyalaya, at the award ceremony of the Youth Leadership Programme

The Award Ceremony of the Youth Leadership Programme conducted for the 3rd and 4th batches of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo was held on 1st September 2013 from 3pm onwards at Visakha Vidyalaya premises. Members for the 3rd and 4th batches were chosen from the Board of Senior Prefects and it is noteworthy to mention that the senior prefects were selected for this Youth Leadership Programme for the first time, under the guidance of the principal Mrs. Sandamali Aviruppola. They have been given a highly effective speech craft training for the last ten weeks, by the facilitators of Serendib Toastmasters Club.

Serendib Toastmasters Club is one of the pioneer Toastmasters Clubs in Sri Lanka, affiliated to the Toastmasters International, which provides leadership and communication training and is held in high esteem in business circles. In addition to the regular club activities, Serendib Toastmasters Club conducts youth leadership programmes in schools and speech crafter programmes at various organizations. Every batch of Visakha Vidyalaya has been trained by the facilitator of Serendib Toastmasters club, mainly by TM Sonia Vitarana, TM Sujith Banulahewa and TM Rohan Dias.

The award ceremony was graced by the Deputy Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya, Ms. Kalani Sooriyapperuma, teacher in-charge of the Prefects’ Guild, Mrs. Champika Delpagoda, representatives from the School Development Society, Members of the Serendib Toastmasters Club and the parents of the performers.

A model club meeting with a Round Robin session, a Table Topics session and a prepared speeches session were successfully performed by each batch. Each prefect was well trained and performed their roles well. It was highly appreciated by the gathering.

The deputy principal stated in her speech that educating students means not only training them to face the public examinations but also to find out their natural talents and encourage them to shine in their chosen fields. She further mentioned that the training given to these prefects at this particular Youth Leadership Programme is invaluable and the school is thankful to the facilitators for their dedicated services. The teacher in-charge of the Senior Prefects’ Guild Mrs.Champika Delpagoda stated “If you educate a son, you educate an individual, but if you educate a daughter, you educate a generation”, a saying which is well suitable for the present generation. She further stated that Education means not only educating children in the curricular field but also in extra activities. Every child needs extracurricular activities for their mental as well as physical development.

All the participants of the Youth Leadership Programme were awarded with valuable certificates, provided by the Serendib Toastmasters Club. The programme was appreciated by all the parents and they thanked the Serendib TM Club and the facilitators for the inestimable training provided.

Sujitha Miranda